Did you tune in last night to Idol Gives Back?

We want to know what you thought of the show. Our FOX News crews behind the scenes got some amazing celebrity interviews.

Paula Abdul told our crew: “We have such a big platform to raise awareness, and last year was unbelievable, we were hopeful for fifty million and we got over seventy, and this year, I think we are going to top it, and if not, it doesn’t matter, because every bit that we are giving and raising awareness, makes me feel proud.”

Last year’s American Idol winner Jordin Sparks was glad to be involved in the event, telling us, “It has just become this huge thing, and I feel so honored to be a part of the first one, and now the second one, I went to Africa on a trip, there’s a little clip that played… it was amazing.”

Reese Witherspoon told FOX News: “”I think it’s just a unique opportunity for them to show that giving is just as important as all the entertainment we get we have to give back and help each other.”

It was night for giving, but Simon Cowell was on the receiving end of several jokes - and found himself caught in an overzealous embrace from Robin Williams.

Simon Cowell told us: “I didn’t have the best night if you think about it, I was roasted, I was manhandled by a comedian, it wasn’t one of my better evenings.”

But it was a great evening for important causes in the U.S. and Africa - and the giving continues. If you’d like to donate, you can still do so by clicking here.

And if you tuned in, we’d love to hear from you.

– Were you inspired to help people in need?
– Which performance was your favorite?
– Did you make it through the entire two-and-half-hour show?

Click on the comments link below and tell us what you think!

PHOTO COURTESY OF AP

Move over Syesha, Carly, and Kristy Lee – some much bigger names will be joining you on the American Idol stage Wednesday night!

Brad Pitt, Mariah Carey and Miley Cyrus step onstage for “Idol Gives Back,” airing 7:30-10pm on our sister network, FOX. The star-studded fundraiser will benefit several charities including Children’s Defense Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children, and the Children’s Health Fund.

Some parts of the special were already pre-taped earlier this week. At that taping, FOX News snagged great interviews with celebrity participants including Reese Witherspoon, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal and Fergie. Tune in to Fox News all day Wednesday to see our celebrity scoop from these A-listers and many more.

Last year’s ‘Idol Gives Back” event raised $76 million for charities in the U.S. and Africa. During Wednesday’s show, viewers can make donations via toll-free lines and the Internet.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be sobbing halfway through the first emotionally moving video of impoverished children. Those ‘Idol’ producers sure know how to tug at the heartstrings. But they also know how to put on a show – and the evening will feature performances and appearances from the stars I’ve already mentioned, plus Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Connolly, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia, Amy Adams, Bono, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.

So, as we count down to the big event, we’d love to hear from you.

• Do you plan to tune in?
• Does the “Idol Gives Back” event inspire you to donate to this cause (or to help in other ways)?
• Which celebrities are you most excited to see?
• Of all the celebrities performance planned, which are you most excited to watch?

Click on the “comments” link below and join the discussion!

(Photo courtesy of AP)

My first assignment after my first foreign trip for Fox (January 2002 in Pakistan), is the same assignment I find myself tonight…..and in my best Ryan Seacrest imitiation…..This….IS American Idol. In all seriousness, I have watched Idol since season one because periodically I get assigned to cover the show. I have my favorites like everyone and in the office, even with my family the discussions break out. On this night, the first four are voted off and I am doing live shots for our affiliates around the country, also the taped story (pkg) will be fed to all the Fox affiliates. Here are two pictures of the crew (part of them). Hugh my photog buddy since Sacramento and I and then Mike Waco….our funny face producer along with Tony, Liza and myself inside the truck. Do you watch and who do you like this year if you do?